Queensland ambulance staff awarded grants for research

A “legend” of the Queensland Ambulance Service is retiring as younger ambos continue his legacy of learning and development. Get the full story.

Queensland Ambulance Service’s Townsville-based interim North Queensland, rural and remote deputy commissioner Gerard Lawler. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Long-serving Townsville-based ambo Gerard Lawler is retiring as the next generation of paramedics receive grants to further their own expertise.

A symposium was held in Townsville on Wednesday, put on by the KJM Foundation. The foundation was named for Kenneth James ‘Jim’ McPherson and is a not-for-profit within the state ambulance service.

Mr Lawler had been in ambulance services for almost 50 years across the country, but was most recently Queensland Ambulance Service’s Townsville-based interim North Queensland, rural and remote deputy commissioner.

He was president of the KJM Foundation for 20 years and honoured with a 3-year long service medal on Wednesday. The symposium also doled out $43,000 to eight ambulance officers for seven projects and further development.

The main recipient was Brisbane advanced care paramedic Jessica Bell who would get $20,000. That sum would go towards testing how animals can help ambulance officers regulate stress.

Eight ambulance officers were awarded grants for seven projects and further development, at a symposium in Townsville on Wednesday. Picture: Mary-Ann Shapcott

Ms Bell’s research is titled The Effects of Short-Term Animal-Assisted Activity on Paramedics Cortisol Levels: A 3-Arm Randomised Controlled Trial.

Another paramedic who received a grant was a graduate for her work in Roma. Hanna Pakoa finished her graduate internship in the Maranoa town to a high level and received $1000 at the symposium.

A graduate paramedic has been honoured with a grant for her work in Roma.

Two men will receive a $5000 grant to research how student paramedics experience their training. Other recipients of grants will use the money to attend training, variously in Canada, New York and New Zealand.

In honouring Mr Lawler’s retirement, QAS commissioner Craig Emery said the retiree had a deep appreciation for continued development.

“Gerard brought with him not only a wealth of experience, but also a great understanding of the value of ongoing education and research which many of us here today and the broader Queensland community have benefited greatly from,” Mr Emery said.

Foundation education and research patron, major general professor John Pearn, said Mr Lawler was integral to the foundation.

Mr Lawler was a “legend” in the service and greatly respected, Mr Pearn said.

The focus of the symposium was health services in regional and remote environments.

A trove of documents released in March showed how stretched QAS resources had been across the state.

The documents also make clear the difficulties in servicing rural and isolated areas.

Originally published as Queensland ambulance staff awarded grants for research